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Bracing and taping interventions for individuals with vertebral fragility fractures: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials with GRADE assessment

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Abstract

Summary

This systematic review analyzes the effects of bracing and taping after osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Spinal orthose may have positive effects on pain, but the evidence is of very low certainty. Clinical judgment is recommended when prescribing spinal orthoses.

Purpose

To examine the effects of bracing and taping interventions on pain, physical functioning, health-related quality of life, back extensor strength, kyphosis curvature, and adverse events in individuals with vertebral fragility fractures.

Methods

Four databases were searched from inception up to January 2022. We included randomized controlled trials testing the effect of bracing or taping interventions compared with a non-intervention control in adults ≥ 45 years with vertebral fragility fractures. Narrative syntheses were presented for all the outcomes. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results

Three studies were included. Soft bracing interventions exhibited inconsistent effects on pain. One study showed no difference between groups, and another study should a decrease in pain in the soft bracing group compared to the control group. Rigid bracing interventions did not have a significant change in pain between the control and intervention groups. One study demonstrated a decrease in pain at rest (VAS: − 10.8 ± 19.3) and during movement (VAS: − 20.9 ± 29.8) after a taping intervention. The other outcomes were not consistent across studies.

Conclusions

Spinal orthoses may improve pain in people with vertebral fractures; however, we cannot draw definitive conclusions on the efficacy or harms of bracing or taping due to the very low certainty evidence and the small number of studies. Effects on other outcomes are uncertain.

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Data Availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

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Funding

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), CREATE 509950–2018 Training in Global Biomedical Technology Research and Innovation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

    Kimberly H. Peckett, Alex Steinke & Lora M. Giangregorio

  2. School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada

    Matteo Ponzano

  3. Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, Canada

    Lora M. Giangregorio

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  1. Kimberly H. Peckett
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Correspondence to Lora M. Giangregorio.

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Peckett, K.H., Ponzano, M., Steinke, A. et al. Bracing and taping interventions for individuals with vertebral fragility fractures: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials with GRADE assessment. Arch Osteoporos 18, 36 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-023-01224-y

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